OHL

Photo: Colorado Avalanche defenseman Chris Bigras played in 37 AHL games with the San Antonio Rampage this season before receiving his first NHL call-up in January (courtesy of Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)

With the game on the line, Jack Eichel was cool, calm, and collected with just seconds left on the clock. Likewise, David Pastrnak wasn’t even looking at the net when he sniped Cam Ward’s water bottle. This time of year provides young players an opportunity in the NHL, and Chris Bigras and Zach Hyman took advantage of it to score their first NHL goals. Plenty of other highlights are included in a jam-packed edition of Prospect Impressions. Read more»

Photo: UMass Lowell forward C.J. Smith, and Boston University forward and San Jose Sharks prospect Danny O’Regan renew the rivalry between their two schools this weekend in the Hockey East Tournament (courtesy of Richard T. Gagnon/Getty Images)

The Hockey East quarterfinals are underway this weekend, and two familiar faces re-ignite a rivalry as Boston University and UMass Lowell meet in the Hockey East playoffs again just one year removed from meeting in the finals. The CHL’s regular season is winding down, and all three leagues are in action again as two top 2016 draft-eligibles get another last chance to impress before the draft. Finally, Jonathan Drouin’s infamous story will have a new chapter written in Syracuse as the Tampa Bay Lightning prospect is back in the AHL after an attempted trade request, finishing off a stacked edition of Prospect Faceoff. Read more»

Photo: Toronto Maple Leafs rookie forward Nikita Soshnikov had produced 28 points in 50 AHL games for the Toronto Marlies before his current call-up to the NHL (courtesy of Nick Turchiaro/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect Impressions is on fire this week, with a pair of first NHL goals from the Toronto Maple Leafs and the first battle in the McDavid vs. Eichel throwdown. College hockey’s undisputed top line produced two highlight-worthy goals this week, and we have plenty more coverage of all three CHL leagues. Read more»

Photo: Brandon Wheat Kings forward and Florida Panthers prospect Jayce Hawryluk got a taste of NHL action in the 2015 preseason, but he is turning in a strong 2015-16 campaign for the Wheat Kings in the WHL (courtesy of Ronald C. Modra/NHL/Getty Images)

The Brandon Wheat Kings were expected to be a powerhouse in the WHL this season. The team arguably has no weaknesses, boasting a bevy of NHL-drafted prospects as well as several others who will soon be selected by NHL clubs (Nolan Patrick, Kale Clague, Stelio Mattheos). Read more»

The West Division in the OHL is up for grabs, and two teams in the race are looking towards their top scorers to help secure a division title. In the WHL, Jayce Hawryluk just earned his first professional contract following an unbelievable month, and in the QMJHL, Cody Donaghey is settling into a new home after being traded in two different leagues this season. Also included this week, Hockey East serves up a high-quality matchup, and one rising Finnish superstar rounds out a stellar edition of Prospect Faceoff. Read more»